SXSW: The thought either makes you shudder or gets you all giddy. Or both. It’s okay — that’s natural. Whether you’re a SXSW noob or a vet, there’s plenty to learn about surviving the craziest week that essentially kicks off festival season every year. I’m not even going to attempt to school you on everything there is to know (some things you have to learn for yourself), but I’d be glad to share with you some tips and picks.

Part two includes my tips for survival (see part one for RSVP madness). Some of these are a personal matter of opinion, but some you’ll definitely want to take heed:

• RSVP to everything you can get your hands on. Clearly you won’t be able to be everywhere at once, but there’s nothing worse than wanting to check something out and being denied access because you forgot to let them know you’re coming. Some events are very strict about their RSVP lists, so do yourself a favor and take the time to RSVP.
• Power up. Pack a portable, re-chargable cell phone charger. You’ll likely be on your phone all day, checking in on Gowalla, tweeting, texting, calling your friends to find out where they are, etc., so better be safe than sorry. Duracell makes a pretty great device, available at most electronic stores and big box stores, compatible with iPhones and any mini-USB device.
• Pace yourself. There’s a lot of free booze to be had, but don’t be that guy wasted out of his mind at 2PM on Wednesday. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If you do choose to drink, make sure you hydrate and eat as well. Trust me on this one.
• Go with the flow. I’m usually working through most of the madness, but I do get some free-time to check out some things. My personal approach is to pick a handful of bands/events that I know I definitely want to check out (acts that I might not get the opportunity to see soon or ever) and I’ll make an honest effort to attend. Otherwise, let the chips (and the drinks) fall where they may. See where the day takes you. If you’re not digging the vibe or the band where you’re at, move on. It’s that simple. You’ll enjoy yourself a lot more, and you won’t stress yourself out trying to traverse the crowded streets to get from venue to venue, just to stand in line after line.
• Make new friends. SXSW is an interesting phenomenon in which thousands upon thousands of people from all over the world are all thrown into a medium-sized metropolitan area. Get to know some of ‘em. It’s fun.
• Tip your bartenders, and get to know them. They’ll remember you, and treat you better. Always remember that bartenders during SXSW are working their tooshes off and solely for tips. Be kind.
• Dress comfortably. You’re gonna be on foot (and standing) most of the time. Just be practical.
• Avoid cars. If you get into a car at all during SXSW, you’re doomed to be stuck in traffic forever. Best to get your hands on a bike, or plan to walk everywhere as much as possible. There are also plenty of pedicabs around to take advantage of.
• See something new. The beauty of SXSW is getting to see new sounds you’ve never heard before. These are the up and coming bands of today, and some of them will launch their fame from this week, so take it in.
• Follow. If you’re on Twitter, find the folks to follow that will let you know what’s happening around town. Good examples are@wristbandless, @unofficialsxsw, @sxswParties and @SXSWFreeNOMS.
• Have fun. Self explanatory. Do what you came here do to.

Take luck, friends. It’s gonna be a fun ride.

SXSW: The thought either makes you shudder or gets you all giddy. Or both. It’s okay — that’s natural. Whether you’re a SXSW noob or a vet, there’s plenty to learn about surviving the craziest week that essentially kicks off festival season every year. I’m not even going to attempt to school you on everything there is to know (some things you have to learn for yourself), but I’d be glad to share with you some tips and picks.

I’ll kick things off with a slew of RSVP madness, some of my personal unofficial event picks for the week. Of course, you’ll definitely want to check out the ones at the top (hint hint, they’re sponsored in part by Sweet Leaf Tea), but I’ve also included a few other parties going on that are cool in their own right…

SWEET LEAF TEA SANCTIONED PARTIES THAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS OUT ON:

• EASTBOUND & FOUND (presented by Ziegenbock, Dos Lunas Tequila, and Sweet Leaf Tea)
  Featuring GZA, Delorean, Here We Go Magic, Maluca, and many more
  WHERE: 1001 E 6th St (Corner of San Marcos & 6th)
  WHEN: Thursday, 3/18 from noon to 9pm
  RSVP / LINEUP / INFO: http://sweetleaftea.com/eastbound
• MESS WITH TEXAS PARTY
  Featuring Man Man, Billy Bragg, Frightened Rabbit, GWAR, Neon Indian, and so many more
  WHERE: 1001 E 6th St (Corner of San Marcos & 6th)
  WHEN: Friday & Sunday, 3/18-19 from noon to 9pm
  RSVP / LINEUP / INFO: http://mwtxparty.com/
• THE RUMBLER LOUNGE
  Featuring The Hood Internet, Glitch Mob, Cool Kids, Rye Rye, and many more
  Four day parties with impressive lineups! Plus our good friends from Knuckle Rumbler are responsible for all this fun.
  WHERE: Peckerheads (402 E 6th St)
  WHEN: Wednesday thru Saturday, 3/17 – 18, Noon to 8pm daily
  RSVP / LINEUPS / INFO: http://knucklerumbler.com/category/therumblerlounge/

OTHER NON-SLT SPONSORED PARTIES WORTH CHECKING OUT:

MUSIC

• THE PUREVOLUME HOUSE
  Featuring Ringo Deathstar, Jacob Dylan & Neko Case, Movits!, Woodhands, The XX, Holy F**k, and many more
  WHERE: 504 Trinity St. (the old Coppertank Brewery)
  WHEN: 3/12 thru 3/20, daily/nightly (hours vary)
  RSVP / LINEUPS / INFO: http://www.purevolume.com/thehouse
• LEVI’S FADER FORT
  [Headliners TBD, but its always HUGE]
  WHERE: 1001 E 5th St (adjacent to Eastbound & Found + Mess With Texas, Progress Coffee, etc)
  WHEN: Wednesday thru Saturday, 3/17-20, 1 to 8pm daily
  RSVP / LINESUP / INFO: http://apps.thefader.com/pages/rsvp/levi-s-fader-fort-2010
• FILTER MAGAZINE’S SHOWDOWN AT CEDAR STREET
  Featuring Miike Snow, Dr. Dog, Frightened Rabbit, and many more
  WHERE: Cedar Street Courtyard (208 W. 4th St)
  WHEN: Thursday thru Saturday 3/18 – 20, 1 to 6pm daily
  RSVP / LINESUP / INFO: http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/rsvp/sxswVIP/
• DICKIES SOUNDS
  Featuring Dr. Dog, Surfer Blood, Sondre Lerche, and many more
  WHERE: Lustre Pearl (97 Rainey St)
  WHEN: Thurs thru Sat 3/18 – 20, 3pm to 1am daily
  RSVP / LINESUP / INFO: http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/rsvp/dickies
• MUSIC BY THE SLICE
  Featuring Bright Light Social Hour, Lou Barlow, Admiral Radley, and many more
  WHERE: Homeslice Pizza (S. Congress)
  WHEN: Thurs thru Sat 3/18 – 20, noon to 8pm daily
  INFO: http://homeslicepizza.wordpress.com/music-by-the-slice-2010/
• GONNA GONNA GET DOWN V (AUSTINIST & WOXY.COM)
  Featuring White Denim, Besnard Lakes, Washed Out, and more
  WHERE: The Mohawk
  WHEN: Wed 3/17, 11am to 6pm
  INFO: http://austinist.com/2010/03/01/gonna_gonna_get_down_v_white_denim.php
• THE BIG ONE: PRESENTED BY DO512 & SHINER
  Featuring [TBA], Holy F**k, The Hood Internet, Dan Black, Warpaint, and many more
  WHERE: 4th & San Jacinto
  WHEN: Saturday, 3/20 11 to 9pm
  INFO / RSVP: http://do512.com/c/sx2010/event/2010/03/20/do512-presents-the-big-one-2010

INTERACTIVE / OTHER EVENTS

• FLATSTOCK 24
  Probably my favorite event throughout all of SXSW.
  “Co-presented by the American Poster Institute (API) and SXSW, Flatstock 24 will display the works of more than 100 artists from across North America and the globe. Posters representing decades of styles, colors and techniques will be on display and for sale as well as additional merchandise. Show up early and be ready to be overwhelmed with amazing posters. (You might want to bring some dough since you won’t want to leave empty handed!) The exhibition is free and open to the public.”
  WHERE: Austin Convention Center Level 1, Exhibit Hall 1
  WHEN: Thurs. 3/18 1 – 6pm & Fri. 3/19 – Sat. 3/20 10am – 6pm
  MORE INFO: http://sxsw.com/music/collectors/flatstock
• AMERICAN APPAREL FLEA MARKET
  “Tens of thousands of your favorite garments to choose from. Up to 85% off, with prices starting at $1. Inventory will be constantly replenished throughout the weekend. RSVP on this event page to receive updates, tips, and be the first to know when new inventory arrives!”
  WHERE: Mexican-American Cultural Center (600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701)
  WHEN: THURS – SAT (3/18-20) 12:00pm – 10:00pm daily
  MORE INFO: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=363185902145&index=1
• BIKE HUGGER MOBILE SOCIALS
  “Bike Hugger’s Mobile Social is a Texas-sized bike culture event. We’ll ride around Austin arriving at Mellow Johnnys for a BBQ and Variety Show.”
  WHEN: March 13, 2010, 2pm-6pm
  WHERE: Brush Square Park >> Mellow Johnny’s
  Who: SXSW Attendees, Austin Locals, cyclists
  RSVP now at Upcoming or Facebook
• GOWALLA PRESENTS THE TIKI ROOM FEATURING DIPLO
  This year, it’s all about location-based social networking, and Gowalla is leading the pack. You won’t want to miss this, but you’ll have to earn your way in if you don’t have an official badge.
  WHERE: The Belmont (305 W 6th St)
  WHEN: Monday, 3/15 9-11pm
  COMPLETE INFO: http://gowalla.com/sxsw

RESOURCES FOR OTHER PARTIES & RSVP’S (YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN, KID):

• Do512: http://do512.com/c/sx2010/events/all-music-parties/2010/03/12/?time
• Republic of Austin: http://republicofaustin.com/sxsw-party-rsvps/
• Showlist Austin: http://showlistaustin.com/
• SXSW 2010 FREE NOMS: http://sxswfreenoms.tumblr.com/
• PlanCast Party List (mostly interactive events): http://plancast.com/sxswparty
• Austin Eavesdropper (expansive survival guides):
  • How to Dominate SXSW Part 1: Plan Your Schedule
  • How to Dominate SXSW Part 2: Tech Yourself
  • How to Dominate SXSW Part 3: Eat, Drink & Be Thrifty

Godspeed, everyone. You’ve been warned!

As most of ya’ll know from previous posts, (and the back of the Raspberry Bottle) we here at Sweet Leaf Tea are ENORMOUS Dog people.  The office always has a pup hanging around and keeping us company.  But what about the cat people out there?  Well this edition of Sweet Leaf Pets is for you!

Meet BIRD!

She’s my cat!  As long as I can remember I have been a cat kinda guy.  Back home in Inez, Texas, we would always has a barn cat to help us control the barn mouse population, as well as the snakes.     So naturally, once I got outta college I wanted to pick up a cute, cuddly, playful Kitten.

I have been invovled with several Austin Pets Alive fundraisers and decided to adopt through them in January. <==Click on the link to learn more about APA.

Bird or Birdie is a brownish grey female tabby with a tiny little heart of gold.  I adopted her when she was 12 weeks old and she took to her new home like a champ.  The name “Bird” stuck after I realized that she has more of a chirp than a full out meow.  Not only does the “chirping” justify her name, she also perches on the backs of chairs (like a bird) and likes to make a nest out of blankets and toys to nap on.  She purrs, kneads, and cuddles.  AWESOME.  Everything I want in a cat wrapped up in a little furry package.  She likes other dogs and cats, is friendly to strangers (BIRD DON’T GET IN THAT VAN), and loves her toys and Facebook (see lower left).  One afternoon soon she is going to make a trip up to the SLT HQ’s for a work day.                                                                                     

But on a more serious side, she has dreams.  She told me that she plans on getting her BBA and opening her own Real estate company, specializing in high-rise kitty condos. see below.

Shoot me an email if you have any questions about the APA adoption process, and follow me on twitter @SweetLeafDanny for updates on events, Sweet Leaf Tea news, and Bird (the cat) updates!

Benefitting Drink Pink to Save The Tatas

WHERE:

1001 E. 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702
(corner of E. 6th St. & San Marcos St., walking distance from all the downtown madness, precariously close to some kinda fort)

WHEN:

Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Noon to 9PM

THE LINEUP:

Stage One
12:15-12:50 Ragen Fykes
1:10-1:45 Freelance Whales
2:05-2:40 Ume
3:00-3:35 Warpaint
3:55-4:30 Morning Benders
4:50-5:25 Here We Go Magic
5:45-6:20 Maluca
7:00- 8:00 GZA

Stage Two
12:30-1:05 Burnt Ones
1:25 – 2:00 Diamond Rings
2:20-2:55 Kid Sister
3:15-3:50 Slow Club
4:10-4:45 Danielson
5:05-5:40 Delorean
6:00 – 7:00 White Denim

*Follow us on Twitter and add us on Facebook for updates.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

• Ziegenbock
• Dos Lunas Tequila
• Sweet Leaf Tea
• Knuckle Rumbler
• My Old Kentucky Blog
• You Aint No Picasso
• Ultra8201
• Yours Truly
• Chromewaves
• Car Toys

Two bars and food available on-site along with other fun stuff from our friends at Harley Davidson, screen printing by Southside Sanctuary, and photobooth by GreenShoeLace.com.

RSVP:

This event is FREE, open to the public (no badges required!), ALL-ages, and capacity HUGE (no waiting in wrap-around lines or cramming into a tiny room!). Hassle-free fun. However, please RSVP by doing the following:

1. RSVP on our Facebook event page
2. Friend us on Facebook for updates
3. Follow us on Twitter for updates
4. Tell your friends via Facebook  / Twitter / email

FEELIN’ LUCKY?

For a chance to win VIP passes to Eastbound & Found, click here!

About two weeks ago Janet and I had our first ping pong match. It was a good place to start but could definitely use improvement. For all of those out there that also want to try to pick up a new skill here is a site that lays out the basics of ping pong.

Check it out! Also, if you are an overly competitive person this game could be a great fit for you. So go enjoy a game of ping pong and a bottle of Sweet Leaf Tea.

-By, Jessie Hall